Tag Archives: Silent films.

That Should Be A Movie: The United Sates vs. The Spirit of ’76

Short Pitch
It is called Robert Goldstein and The Spirit of ’76.
It’s a Courtroom Drama.
In the vein of Trumbo.
It is like The Post meets The Artist.
It follows an aspiring producer named Robert Goldstein.
And a young actress named Jane Novak.
As they make a patriotic epic during the silent area of Hollywood.
Problems arise when America enters World War I and the film is accused of being treasonous and a violation of the Espionage Act of 1917.
Together they will remain friends as Robert weathers prosecution and imprisonment by the American government.
The idea came to me when I read blurb in a history book while preparing for a test and thought about the similarities of the Espionage Act and other hysteria during The Great War and that of The Patriot Act and other US government actions after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
My unique approach would be the juxtaposition of the idyllic dreamworld of early Hollywood against the harsh realities of big government and a hysterical public mindset during war time.